Tooth Decay in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Food particles left behind after we eat and deposits of plaque attract bacteria which ferment and gradually eat at the various layers of tissue that make up human teeth. Most know the consequences of bacterial infection of the tooth as a cavity or tooth decay. In the medical community, this phenomenon is known as dental caries. While cavities can be easily treated if caught early enough, once the damage is significant and extensive the infected teeth may no longer be salvageable. In these cases, dental implants can be an ideal solution because they come closest to matching the look, feel, and function of real teeth.

Basics of Tooth Decay

When we look at our teeth in the mirror we typically see what looks like what bone. This is actually enamel and it makes up just one layer of the tooth. Interestingly, enamel is one of the hardest tissues in the human body, largely because it is also the most highly mineralized. As one moves deeper into the tooth, the enamel is backed by a layer of dentin, which is a calcified tissue and is also highly mineralized. Less brittle than enamel, dentin helps keep the layer on top of it strong and healthy, which helps to protect your teeth from damage. Beneath the dentin is the pulp and this layer contains the tooth’s nerves and odontoblasts, which regenerate the dentin tissue.

Tooth decay can spread deeper and deeper into the tooth, systematically affecting each consecutive layer of tissue as the condition worsens. That’s why it’s important to keep a clean mouth. Brushing daily and using mouth wash will help kill threatening bacteria and will also assist in scraping off accumulations of plaque. If tooth decay is allowed to persist, however, treating it becomes progressively more difficult. At first, a cavity can be treated with porcelain filler, but more extensive decay may necessitate a root canal. If the damage is too significant and too widespread, the tooth or teeth may no longer be able to function properly and they may need to be extracted.

If the tooth decay is pervasive, dental implants are the preferred solution. Unlike removable dentures and dental bridges, implants can last a lifetime and are easy to maintain. Furthermore, dental implants are stronger than the alternatives, meaning they won’t sacrifice your bite strength. Another benefit, which speaks to tooth decay, is that implants are easy to keep clean, allowing you to worry less about the accrual of food debris and plaque around your permanent dental prosthesis which can damage adjacent natural teeth. In fact, many of our Ft. Lauderdale, FL patients who originally opted for removable dentures find the discomfort and inconvenience too great and they quickly come back to Bayview Smiles to have dental implants placed instead.

Tooth Decay: Early Warning Signals

Some signs of tooth decay that you can look out for include:

• Pain while drinking or eating sweet foods and products
• Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes
• Pit formation on the surface of the tooth
• Swelling of the gums near the infected tooth
• Chronic bad breath
• White, gray, brown, or black spots on your teeth

Inadequate oral hygiene is a major contributor to tooth decay. It’s important to brush at least two times a day and flossing daily is highly recommended. Also encouraged are routine dental checkups at Bayview Smiles in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Fenton can clean off plaque sediments, helping to keep harmful bacteria away by removing the scaffolding they need to wear down your various tissues that make up your teeth.

Maintain Your Oral Health in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Tooth decay can be easily treated at Bayview Smiles if caught early. However, the longer the decay is allowed to persist, the more complicated the necessary procedure will be. If the tissue loss is too extensive then the affected teeth may no longer be salvageable. Dental implants are the premier tooth loss treatment and provide a completely natural-looking solution to irreparably decayed teeth. To learn more about tooth decay and dental implants, contact our Ft. Lauderdale, FL office to schedule your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Fenton today!

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Choose the Best Tooth Whitening Method

Do you think your teeth would benefit the most, as far as whitening is concerned, by regularly using whitening toothpaste? Or, do you think whitening strips would be the better option? Maybe you’re even considering a total makeover and think that a whitening kit is the way to go.

No matter what strategy you choose, you’ll definitely experience some level of tooth whitening. But, as anyone can imagine, you only want the best looking and brightest teeth. So that means you have to choose the best tooth whitening method to attain spectacular results!

As experts in this field, it is our pleasure to help you in every way that we can. We will look at each method and then share our honest opinion. We’ll tell you how we believe you’ll achieve the best results.

Sound good? Let’s get moving then.

The Pros and Cons of Whitening Toothpaste

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive – you only have to pay for the cost of whitening toothpaste.
• Easy to use – just brush your teeth like you normally would.
• Stick to your regular routine – brush your teeth normally to experience the benefits.

Cons:

• Whitening toothpaste wears down enamel over time – it’s best to only brush your teeth twice per day using whitening toothpaste. The more you use this toothpaste, the more it wears down tooth enamel.
• Avoid whitening toothpaste using microbeads – dentists and dental hygienists are noticing beads stuck in the teeth and gums of their patients. Many manufacturers have noticed this problem and are taking the proper steps to remove microbeads.

The Pros and Cons of Whitening Strips

Pros:

• Certain brands are very effective – if you spend enough time online, you’ll see that there are a number of effective brands that work wonders at whitening teeth. Some people see results in as little as one to three days.
• The best whitening strips are barely noticeable – certain whitening strip brands are hardly noticeable when you have them fastened to your teeth. This is good if you need to wear your whitening strips while on the move. You can put them on before leaving the house to experience the full benefits.
• Whitening strips stay on even while talking and eating – again, some brands are so effective that you can talk and eat while wearing their strips. They will stay fastened to your teeth, so there’s no need to worry about them falling off.

Cons:

• Whitening strips slip and slide on teeth – some brands are not as effective as others. These strips could easily slip and slide on your teeth. In this case, they are not very effective.

The Pros and Cons of Whitening Kits

Pros:

• Trays mold to your teeth – when using whitening gels in the tray, the latest trend is that the trays will mold directly over your teeth and stay solidly in place.
• Strips, gels and trays are easy to use – take your whitening kit out of the box, follow the simple instructions and see how easy it is to use.
• Less expensive than professional whitening treatments in the dentist’s office – some people might not have enough disposable income to afford professional treatment. This is an excellent cost-effective way to whiten your teeth.

Cons:

• Some stains are too tough to remove even with the best tooth whitening kits – in some instances, when the stains are so tough to remove, the only way to eliminate them is by going to a dentist for a professional teeth whitening treatment.

Final Verdict

Every at-home method has the ability to whiten your teeth. The best way to achieve the greatest results – in regard to using at-home options – is to go with a tooth whitening kit. Sure, it’s more expensive, but it can also do the best job. This minor investment is worth it to have beautiful, bright white teeth.

Advice courtesy of Bayview Smile Design of Fort Lauderdale.

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The Impact of Diet on Your Health

Even though we realize that sugar is bad for our teeth, we don’t often recognize just how big of an impact the food we eat has on our choppers. And let’s not forget about the things that we drink because they also have an impact of our dental health in many ways.

Another important piece of information to note is that certain food types will have a positive impact on the health of your teeth and gums. When you regularly eat these foods, you’ll help to ensure good dental hygiene and fewer cavities overall. Eating healthy, and eating the right foods that promote healthy teeth and gums, is a Godsend because you’ll feel good, look good, and avoid costly procedures in the dentist’s office.

Without further ado, let’s get to the heart of the matter.

Food and Drinks that have Negative Health Consequences on Your Teeth

It will come as no surprise to anyone that certain foods and drinks will harm your teeth and overall dental health. We’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous substances for your teeth. Please stay away from the following under certain conditions:

• Coffee beverages – while coffee itself isn’t inherently bad for you, it shouldn’t surprise anyone when we say that the add-ons (sugar, syrup, artificial sweeteners) will have a deleterious effect on your dental hygiene. As we know, sugar – in all of its forms – has the ability to rot your teeth. And once they start rotting, root canals and extractions are not far behind. Plus, if you want to maintain bright white teeth, avoiding coffee is that smart move because it causes them to have unsightly brown stains.

• Chocolate – we all love to eat a piece of delectable chocolate from time to time and there’s nothing wrong with it. You’ll run into problems when you make eating sugar-filled chocolate an everyday habit. It’s loaded with sweeteners and bad for your tooth enamel. If you want to preserve the health of your teeth, stay away from chocolate the majority of the time.

• Sugary carbonated beverages – at this point, you most likely recognize a theme. Sugar is horrible for your teeth! So it should go without saying that carbonated soda pop beverages will wreak havoc on your whole mouth. Avoid them like the plague.

Food and Drinks that Have Positive Health Consequences on Your Teeth

Just like certain things can have a negative impact on your teeth, so too can they have the reverse effect. Foods to eat in plentiful supply include:

• Strawberries – most people overlook strawberries in regard to dental health, but they are sadly mistaken. They are awesome because they contain malic acid. This acid is actually a natural teeth whitener. So, if your teeth are brown and stained, eat strawberries to fight back against these ugly blemishes.

• Vegetables – instead of naming specific veggies, we are going to cover all of them in this one heading. Why? All veggies are fantastic for your teeth! They help to stimulate additional saliva, and this is perfect because it helps to defend your teeth against tooth decay.

• Water – water is the preserver of all life. We cannot live without it. It’s great because it helps to clean and preserve your teeth.

Follow these guidelines to have awesome, attractive teeth!

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